The Killer Nashville Jimmy Loftin and Lisa Jackson Scholarships

Kris E. Calvin Scholarship

An economist trained in forensic psychology, Kris E. Calvin has been honored by the California Assembly and Governor’s office for her efforts regarding child advocacy.

Her thriller “One Murder More” was awarded the 2016 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best First Novel, Best Political Thriller, and Best Female PI/Sleuth. Kris considers herself a reader first, reading two to three books a week.

Kris loves discovering new authors and hopes that the Kris E. Calvin Scholarship will help her do just that. A long-time supporter of Killer Nashville, Kris has seen the difference that Killer Nashville has made in the lives and careers of past attendees; so beginning this year, Kris has generously offered to fund an account annually to cover the tuition of a talented, unpublished, fiction or nonfiction author who may not have the funds to purchase the Killer Nashville three-day registration, but otherwise has the funds to make it to the conference. She is also funding a professional critique to help growing authors polish their works to their best advantage.

Kris’s goal is that this writer will experience what she has felt at Killer Nashville: the support and encouragement of the Killer Nashville family while gaining solid, real-life knowledge from internationally-bestselling, working, professional writers, publishers, editors, agents, publicists, and entertainment attorneys.

If you are a talented writer, lack of money should not keep you from your dreams. In the end, nothing would make Kris – and Killer Nashville – happier than discovering you.

Killer Nashville’s 2017 Kris E. Calvin Scholarship WinnerSarah Harris

“As a participant of Killer Nashville, I am certain I would benefit both as an author and a teacher.”

Lisa Jackson Scholarship

Before Lisa Jackson became an internationally known bestselling author, she was a single mom struggling to put food on the table. She hoped against hope that someone would pay for her stories and that day came.

Lisa is now the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 85 novels, including “Close to Home”, “Never Die Alone”, and “After She’s Gone”. She is also the co-author of the “Colony” series with her sister Nancy Bush. There are over 20 million copies of Lisa’s books in print in 20 languages.

Lisa has been a big supporter of Killer Nashville, and she was one of the Guests of Honor at the 2014 conference.

“Over the years, writing conferences have helped me connect with other writers, editors and agents. In my opinion Killer Nashville is one of the best, so I’d like to help another writer or two have the opportunity to attend by offering this scholarship.”

Funds will be awarded to authors who demonstrate need in an essay format. The money will be used to pay for attendance to the conference, breakout sessions, a critique, and lodging on a case-needed basis.

“Here’s to having a blast at Killer Nashville, where there’s a lot to be learned and fun to be found!”

Jimmy Loftin Memorial Scholarship

Jimmy Loftin’s family members have been writers their entire lives. Jimmy’s Uncle Bryan Robinson, a long-time supporter of Killer Nashville, is author of 35 nonfiction books and several mystery/thriller novels, including the award-winning, Limestone Gumption: A Brad Pope and Sisterfriends Mystery. Jimmy’s mother, Glenda Robinson is a retired award-winning newspaper journalist.

Tragedy struck the family when Jimmy was murdered in the prime of his youth, a victim of domestic violence. It was only natural that his family of writers wanted a memorial befitting Jimmy so his memory lives on. The Jimmy Loftin Memorial Scholarship is the result of that wish. Jimmy’s parents, James and Glenda Loftin, his brothers, Scott and Blake Loftin, and their Uncle Bryan Robinson wish to assist writers struggling financially, who want to attend the Killer Nashville Writers’ Conference–one of the best author-supportive conferences in the world.

Jimmy Loftin was kind-hearted, considerate, and generous. He brought out the best in everyone around him. Even as a child, he was sensitive to special needs children his age, and he befriended and protected them. Whip-smart with a wicked sense of humor, Jimmy was recognized and rewarded for his creative and money-saving ideas in the workplace.

In memory of Jimmy’s loving generosity, the Jimmy Loftin Scholarship funds will be awarded to authors who demonstrate need in an essay format. The money will be used to pay for attendance to the conference, breakout sessions, a critique, and lodging on a case-needed basis.

For those of you who wish to contribute to the Jimmy Loftin Memorial Scholarship:

No amount is too small. Please make checks out to “Killer Nashville Conference” and in the memo line, “The Jimmy Loftin Scholarship.” You can mail those to the following address:

Guidelines:

– Write an essay that illustrates your financial need and why you want to attend the Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference. – Entries should be about 500 words long, double-spaced, and in 12-point Times New Roman or Courier with at least 1-inch margins.– In the top left margin of your essay, in single-spaced format, include your name, mailing address, email, and phone number(s) where you can be reached by the Killer Nashville Scholarship Committee.– Attach entries to the form below. – The deadline is July 15, 2018.

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Mark Troy

“Persistence pays off. So does the feedback from the Claymore judges, the agents and editors at Killer Nashville, and the contacts with the other writers. I was delighted whenThe Law of the Splintered Paddle was named the second runner up and even more delighted when, after another revision, Five Star Mysteries offered to publish it." - Mark Troy, The Splintered Paddle

2014-09-17T12:46:40+00:00

“Persistence pays off. So does the feedback from the Claymore judges, the agents and editors at Killer Nashville, and the contacts with the other writers. I was delighted whenThe Law of the Splintered Paddle was named the second runner up and even more delighted when, after another revision, Five Star Mysteries offered to publish it." - Mark Troy, The Splintered Paddle

https://killernashville.com/testimonials/mark-troy/

Judy Dailey

“Killer Nashville was a wonderful experience. Because of Killer Nashville, I now have a contract with Five Star Publishing for my cozy, Animal, Vegetable, Murder. I couldn’t be happier.” - Judy Dailey, Animal, Vegetable, Murder

2014-09-17T12:47:54+00:00

“Killer Nashville was a wonderful experience. Because of Killer Nashville, I now have a contract with Five Star Publishing for my cozy, Animal, Vegetable, Murder. I couldn’t be happier.” - Judy Dailey, Animal, Vegetable, Murder

https://killernashville.com/testimonials/judy-dailey/

Steven Cooper

"Killer Nashville provides authors wonderful opportunities to advance up the literary ladder. I am flattered by the recognition and grateful to Killer Nashville for giving my work a forum." - Steven Cooper, Desert Remains

2014-09-17T12:50:21+00:00

"Killer Nashville provides authors wonderful opportunities to advance up the literary ladder. I am flattered by the recognition and grateful to Killer Nashville for giving my work a forum." - Steven Cooper, Desert Remains

https://killernashville.com/testimonials/steven-cooper/

Ross Cavins

"Killer Nashville is one of the best writing conferences in the nation, and to be a finalist in its companion award competition is of the highest honor." - Ross Cavins, Barry Versus the Apocalypse

2014-09-17T12:53:03+00:00

"Killer Nashville is one of the best writing conferences in the nation, and to be a finalist in its companion award competition is of the highest honor." - Ross Cavins, Barry Versus the Apocalypse

https://killernashville.com/testimonials/ross-cavins/

Publisher’s Weekly

Publishers Weekly has named Killer Nashville and its founder Clay Stafford as playing "an essential role in defining which books become bestsellers" throughout "the nation's book culture." (PW 6/10/13)

2014-09-17T12:38:03+00:00

Publishers Weekly has named Killer Nashville and its founder Clay Stafford as playing "an essential role in defining which books become bestsellers" throughout "the nation's book culture." (PW 6/10/13)

https://killernashville.com/testimonials/publishers-weekly-2/

Jessie Bishop Powell

"To me, writing success means recognition by a traditional press in the form of a contract to publish a physical book with real pages and an authentic cover. Killer Nashville, Five Star Publishing, and Deni Dietz made all of those things possible for me." - Jessie Bishop Powell, The Marriage at the Rue Morgue

2014-09-17T12:39:40+00:00

"To me, writing success means recognition by a traditional press in the form of a contract to publish a physical book with real pages and an authentic cover. Killer Nashville, Five Star Publishing, and Deni Dietz made all of those things possible for me." - Jessie Bishop Powell, The Marriage at the Rue Morgue

https://killernashville.com/testimonials/jessie-bishop-powell/

David Burnsworth

"Whether you are only thinking about writing, in the middle of eighty-thousand words, or feel you’re ready for publication, Killer Nashville is the event for you.” - David Burnsworth, Southern Heat

2014-09-17T12:40:56+00:00

"Whether you are only thinking about writing, in the middle of eighty-thousand words, or feel you’re ready for publication, Killer Nashville is the event for you.” - David Burnsworth, Southern Heat

https://killernashville.com/testimonials/david-burnsworth/

Rosalyn Rikel

"I decided to pitch [my manuscript] at the Killer Nashville conference in 2011. Deni Deitz from Five Star Publishing was the person who ‘caught my pitch,’ challenged me to let her see the full manuscript, and later decided to publish Millicent’s Tower. Thanks to Deni and Five Star, I am now taking pleasure in sharing my book and my story — plus the excitement of writing another one! Stay tuned!!!” - Rosalyn Rikel, Millicent’s Tower

2014-09-17T12:44:54+00:00

"I decided to pitch [my manuscript] at the Killer Nashville conference in 2011. Deni Deitz from Five Star Publishing was the person who ‘caught my pitch,’ challenged me to let her see the full manuscript, and later decided to publish Millicent’s Tower. Thanks to Deni and Five Star, I am now taking pleasure in sharing my book and my story — plus the excitement of writing another one! Stay tuned!!!” - Rosalyn Rikel, Millicent’s Tower